The developer, Waterfront Griffith, recently lodged a development application for the Sunset Waters estate, sparking concerns from the Griffith Aboriginal Community Working Party.
Party member Steve Meredith said the group was concerned about the potential for cultural heritage to be decimated by the developers.
He is preparing a letter of concern on behalf of the group.
“Traditional burials were carried out in sand bodies, such as this lunette and our main concern is what’s under the surface … In my opinion there’s a high probability that the development's high impact earthworks will disturb highly sensitive burial sites,” Mr Meredith said. They were once marked by carved pine trees but years of agriculture have seen those traditional signposts removed, leaving the location of the indigenous graves unknown.
“You saw the carved tree and knew to act appropriately but now the pines are no longer there and we don’t have something to tell us exactly where they are,” Mr Meredith said.
In 2007, a survey undertaken by archaeological consultants BIOSIS discovered 11 Aboriginal sites containing cultural material, including one which was assessed to have the potential to be a small hammer stone. “The concentration of sites in the southern portion of the area warrants further investigation as the sub-surface deposits could contain potential archaeological material,” a cultural heritage report submitted to council states.
To Mr Meredith, the sites are an indication of further heritage at the site.
“Those artefacts are undeniable physical evidence our people were there,” he said.
The Aboriginal community is now seeking further testing at the site, digging four deep pits to see what is underground.
“If they bring a burial up then I think the community would be very wary about supporting the development but if there is no burial then the community would feel a bit better. It would be a good indicator,” he said.
“We are erring on the side of caution and formally voicing our concerns.”
But Waterfront Griffith director Zep Lanza remains confident the Sunset Waters development will go ahead, despite concerns from the area’s indigenous community.
“There’s not a high probability of there being burial sites there … people forget our land is half a kilometre back from the waterfront. I would be very surprised if anything is found,” Mr Lanza said.
“I honestly don't think this is an issue and if it is we will follow all the proper procedures … if something is found, we can modify the plans accordingly.”
He said the 11 surface sites which had been found were not an indication of further cultural heritage at the lake.
“They were some chipping tools that you would find anywhere. The land has been used for vegetable farming and irrigation for many years,” he said.
“All the advice we have been given by our archaeologist consultants is that we should be fine … but it issue a controversial development, there will obviously be objectors.”
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